Predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder and symptoms in adults: a meta-analysis.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Meta-analysis of observational predictor studies
PubMed 12555794 · doi:10.1037/0033-2909.129.1.52
What was done
Authors screened 2,647 studies on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to identify candidates for a meta-analysis assessing predictors of PTSD or PTSD symptoms in adults. Sixty-eight studies met inclusion criteria to evaluate 7 predictors: prior trauma, prior psychological adjustment, family history of psychopathology, perceived life threat during trauma, posttrauma social support, peritraumatic emotional responses, and peritraumatic dissociation.
What was found
All 7 predictors showed statistically significant associations with PTSD outcomes. Peritraumatic dissociation was the strongest predictor (weighted r = .35). Family history of psychopathology, prior trauma, and prior adjustment showed the smallest associations (weighted r = .17 each). Specific effect sizes for perceived life threat, posttrauma social support, and peritraumatic emotional responses were not reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
This meta-analysis demonstrates that peritraumatic psychological processes occurring during the trauma are more robustly associated with PTSD development than pre-existing vulnerabilities or history.
Limits
Total participant sample size, study heterogeneity, and confidence intervals are not reported in the abstract. As a meta-analysis of observational predictor studies, causality cannot be inferred, and retrospective assessments of peritraumatic experiences may introduce recall bias. Effect sizes for three of the seven tested predictors were omitted from the abstract text.
Cited by
- supports Individuals with complex post-traumatic stress or chronic childhood trauma are at a significantly higher risk of developing acute PTSD episodes after subsequent traumatic events.